Rookie DPD Officer Shoots, Kills Unarmed Teen

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – The Dallas Police Department says a rookie officer felt threatened when he drew his gun and shot and killed a teenager. It marks Dallas Police Department’s sixth officer involved shooting this year, four of them have been deadly.

Veteran officer Mark Meltabarger and rookie Jamal Robinson responded to a burglary call at the now vacant and former home of 19-year-old Gerardo Pinedo. Police say Pinedo and his friends broke into the home and that Pinedo was not responding to the officers’ commands to get on the ground.

“Suspect threw something which struck the officer in the head,” said DPD Major Jeff Cotner. “And at the same time suspect charged officer Robinson.”

Robinson fired one shot, killing Pinedo. Robinson is still in training, with only seven weeks of experience on the street. According to police and his friends, Pinedo had been drinking heavily all evening.

Steve is an Emmy Award winning journalist. He has been recognized nationally for his coverage of Public Education and his reports from New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina garnered the "Best News Story" Katie Award from the Press Clu...